By Dorothy Musyoka
The Tononoka Children’s Court today resumed hearings in the Shakahola massacre children case involving controversial preacher Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 38 co-accused parents.
The accused face 17 serious charges related to the welfare of children rescued from the infamous Shakahola forest.
Presiding over the proceedings, Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Chepchirchir heard harrowing testimonies from five prosecution witnesses, including four expert psychologists and counsellors.
These professionals provided critical insight into the deep psychological trauma suffered by the rescued children.
“The expert witnesses reported that the children exhibited minimal, moderate, and severe trauma as a result of horrific experiences in Shakahola, which included fasting,” stated the ODPP.
Many had been subjected to extreme fasting and lived in isolation under doctrines propagated by Pastor Mackenzie, who is alleged to have led a cult-like movement opposing modern education and healthcare.
The experts detailed how the children’s psychological distress manifested in various forms, including intrusive thoughts and emotional withdrawal.
Many of the victims were also not attending school at the time of rescue, as the church’s teachings—broadcast on Times TV—allegedly condemned formal education, labelling it ungodly.
The court also heard a powerful testimony from Charles Anjanja, a boda boda rider from Banana in Kiambu.
He recounted how his wife, influenced by Times TV preaching, abandoned their home with their four children.
“Mr. Charles Anjanja told the court how her wife had left home with his four children for her hometown in Eldoret and then for Mombasa. He narrated how her wife returned home one day with three (3) out of the four (4) children, but after three (3) days left with only two (2) and was never heard from again until her death,” explained the ODPP.
Pastor Mackenzie and his co-accused are facing charges under the Children Act 2012, Prevention of Torture Act 2017, and Basic Education Act 2013.
These include:
- Two counts of subjecting a child to torture, with alternative charges of assault causing actual bodily harm
- Nine counts of cruelty to a child
- Six counts of infringing on a child’s right to education